Most Atlanta homeowners pay somewhere between a few hundred dollars and about $2,000 to have a tree taken down. Today’s Homeowner puts the Atlanta average at about $604, with a typical range of $230 to $962. HomeBlue estimates a higher average of about $1,100 and a range of $400 to $1,900, depending on height and access. HomeAdvisor lists an Atlanta average of $1,165 and a typical range of $568 to $1,814, though that figure also includes shrub removal and trimming jobs.
The spread comes from Atlanta’s big hardwoods and tall pines, hilly lots and a strict city tree ordinance. Below are real Atlanta prices, the permit rules (including the new 2026 recompense fee), dead tree rules and hiring tips.
Atlanta Tree Removal Cost Table
The table below uses Atlanta prices by tree height from HomeBlue’s Atlanta cost guide (published March 2025). Stump figures come from Today’s Homeowner (Atlanta) and Lawn Love (national, updated October 2026).
| Tree height or job | Estimated Atlanta cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft tree | $240 to $450 | HomeBlue |
| 30 ft tree | $350 to $680 | HomeBlue |
| 40 ft tree | $470 to $900 | HomeBlue |
| 50 ft tree | $590 to $1,130 | HomeBlue |
| 60 ft tree | $700 to $1,350 | HomeBlue |
| 70 ft tree | $820 to $1,580 | HomeBlue |
| 80 ft tree | $940 to $1,800 | HomeBlue |
| Stump removal (Atlanta average) | About $187 | Today’s Homeowner |
| Stump removal add-on (national) | $180 to $525 | Lawn Love |
| Emergency removal (Atlanta typical) | About $903 | Today’s Homeowner |
Stump grinding is usually not included. HomeBlue says most companies charge extra for it, and Today’s Homeowner notes not every company offers it. To price your own tree, try our tree removal cost by size and type calculator and our stump removal cost calculator. If you want to see how Georgia compares with other states, see our tree removal cost by state page.
What Drives Atlanta Tree Removal Prices
Large hardwoods and tall pines
Atlanta’s urban forest is mature. Today’s Homeowner says local trees average about 46 feet tall and 56 years old, and the most common species include yellow-poplar, sweetgum and loblolly pine. Nationally, Lawn Love lists pine removal at $475 to $1,450 and oak removal at $380 to $1,160. Our pine tree removal cost guide covers this in more detail.
Storms and emergency work
Emergency jobs cost more because crews work fast and the tree may be on a roof or power line. Today’s Homeowner puts a typical Atlanta emergency removal at about $903, and Lawn Love gives a national emergency range of $450 to $3,000. See our emergency tree removal guide for what to do first after a storm.
Steep lots, tight yards and access
On hilly, fenced Atlanta lots, crews may have to climb and lower the tree in pieces when a truck cannot reach it. Today’s Homeowner lists ease and safety of access as a main price factor. HomeBlue also gives a rough labor benchmark of $200 to $250 per hour for a three-person crew in Atlanta.
Number of trees and cleanup
Several trees in one visit can lower the price per tree. Ask whether hauling is included. HomeGuide lists tree debris removal at $75 to $250 per load, and it gives a general removal range of $300 to $2,000 depending on tree size and location.
City permits and recompense
Inside city limits, permits and tree replacement fees (recompense) can add real money, especially for a healthy tree.
Atlanta Tree Removal Permits and the Tree Ordinance
The City of Atlanta regulates trees on private property through its Tree Protection Ordinance, run by the Arborist Division of the Department of City Planning. According to the Arborist Division, tree removal on private property is handled either under a building permit or through an application to remove a dead, dying, diseased or hazardous tree. Properties are posted before trees are removed under building permits so the public has a chance to appeal. The city page does not state how long the posting period lasts, so confirm the current timeline with the Arborist Division before you schedule work.
Size thresholds
The city’s dead, dying or hazardous (DDH) tree permit guide says permits apply to hardwood trees at least 6 inches in diameter and pines at least 12 inches in diameter, measured 4.5 feet above the ground. You can read more about how permits work in general in our post Do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my property?
The 2025 ordinance rewrite and the new recompense fee
On June 16, 2025, the Atlanta City Council unanimously approved the first major update to the Tree Protection Ordinance since 2001, according to Atlanta News First. The City of Atlanta’s announcement lists the key changes:
- Recompense rises to $140 per diameter inch of trunk, starting January 1, 2026.
- Starting January 1, 2027, the rate adjusts every year for inflation based on the Atlanta-area consumer price index.
- Planting new trees earns a credit of 1.25 times the caliper inches planted, which can offset recompense owed.
- Fines for illegal removal rise from $100,000 to $200,000 per acre.
- Funding for help to low-income seniors rises to $400,000 a year.
To see what that means in practice, Atlanta News First explains that the old fee was $100 plus $30 per inch, so a 6-inch tree cost about $280 in recompense. Under the new rate, the same 6-inch tree would cost about $840. The final ordinance also kept per-acre caps that range from $12,500 to $35,000 depending on zoning, according to Bisnow. Confirm with the city how recompense applies to your lot.
Appeals
The DDH guide says decisions made by a City Arborist can be appealed to the Tree Conservation Commission. The guide lists treeappeal@atlantaga.gov as the contact, but it does not give an appeal deadline. Ask the city for the current deadline as soon as you get a decision.
Other metro Atlanta jurisdictions
The City of Atlanta’s rules stop at the city limits. Nearby counties and cities have their own rules:
- Unincorporated DeKalb County: The county’s 2025 Homeowner Tree Removal Guide says you can remove up to five healthy, non-specimen trees per single-family lot each calendar year without a notice. Removing more than five, or any specimen tree, requires a Notice of Tree Removal first. Cities like Decatur, Brookhaven and Dunwoody have their own rules.
- Unincorporated Gwinnett County: The county’s tree removal information sheet says homeowners on existing residential lots usually do not need a permit unless the tree is in a protected area such as a zoning or stream buffer, tree save area or the Chattahoochee River Corridor. You must keep at least two live trees on your lot.
- Fulton and Cobb counties: Rules vary by county and by city (for example, Sandy Springs, Roswell or Marietta). We did not verify their current homeowner rules for this guide, so call your local planning or arborist office before cutting.
Dead, Dying and Hazardous Trees in Atlanta
A dead tree is not a free pass in the City of Atlanta. The city’s DDH permit guide says removing a dead, dying or hazardous tree from private property requires a permit. Here is how the process works:
- Apply online through the city’s Accela Citizen portal and include photos.
- A City Arborist is assigned and usually inspects within five business days, sometimes longer when the city is busy. You do not need to be home.
- Each tree is approved, denied, flagged for more data (the city recommends a private ISA certified arborist report), or set for spring re-evaluation.
- The permit must be available for public inspection while the work is being done.
Storms and emergencies. A September 2024 city notice shared by Atlanta Realtors says that if a storm-damaged tree is in imminent danger of falling, you should call the Arborist Division at (404) 330-6874 or email arborist.dpcd@atlantaga.gov right away. Removal without a permit is allowed only after the division gives verbal or written approval. Take photos that clearly show the danger, then submit a DDH application with photos within five business days after removal. If your photos do not show an imminent hazard, you may be charged recompense and fines. A tree that has already fallen does not need a permit, but the city recommends photographing it before cleanup.
Dead trees can be riskier to cut, which affects price. Our dead tree removal cost guide explains why.
Cost-Saving Tips and When to Book
- Get at least three written quotes. Atlanta averages range from about $604 (Today’s Homeowner) to $1,165 (HomeAdvisor), so local bids show what is fair.
- Ask what is included. Confirm stump grinding, log hauling, cleanup and permit handling in writing.
- Bundle jobs. Removing several trees, or adding trimming to the same visit, can lower your cost per tree.
- Do not wait for an emergency. A planned removal is usually cheaper than an emergency call after a storm.
- Book early. Crews are busiest right after storms, so schedule planned work during quieter weeks.
- Plan for permits. In the City of Atlanta, allow time for inspection and any posting period. Starting in 2026, recompense is $140 per inch, so ask the city early whether your tree will owe recompense.
- Check senior help. Low-income seniors can ask the city about its tree assistance funding.
How to Choose a Tree Service in Atlanta
Hiring the cheapest crew can cost more if something goes wrong. Today’s Homeowner notes that Georgia does not have a specific state license for tree removal companies, so it is up to you to check each company carefully.
- Ask for proof of insurance. Request a certificate of insurance for general liability and workers’ compensation, and confirm it is current.
- Look for an ISA certified arborist. The International Society of Arboriculture runs a Find an Arborist tool at treesaregood.com where you can search and verify credentials, according to Purdue Landscape Report. Atlanta’s own DDH guide recommends a private ISA certified arborist report when the city needs more data. Learn what an assessment costs in our arborist cost guide.
- Ask who pulls the permit. A good local crew knows the city and county rules.
- Get a detailed written quote listing the trees, method, cleanup, stump work and total price.
- Avoid storm-chasing door knockers who want full payment up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does tree removal cost in Atlanta?
Today’s Homeowner reports an Atlanta average of about $604 (range $230 to $962), while HomeBlue estimates about $1,100 (range $400 to $1,900). Tall trees, tight access and emergencies cost more.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my property in Atlanta?
Often, yes. Inside the City of Atlanta, removal on private property is handled under a building permit or a dead, dying or hazardous tree application, and the DDH guide applies to hardwoods 6 inches and larger and pines 12 inches and larger in diameter. Nearby counties and cities have different rules.
What is the tree recompense fee in Atlanta?
Recompense is a fee to replace lost canopy. Under the June 2025 ordinance it is $140 per diameter inch starting January 1, 2026, with yearly inflation updates beginning in 2027.
Can I remove a dead tree in Atlanta without a permit?
Generally no. The city’s DDH guide says removing a dead, dying or hazardous tree on private property requires a permit. In a true emergency, call the Arborist Division first, get approval, photograph the hazard, and file the DDH application within five business days after removal.
Does stump grinding cost extra in Atlanta?
Usually yes. HomeBlue notes that most companies charge for stump work as an add-on. Today’s Homeowner puts the Atlanta stump removal average at about $187, and Lawn Love lists a national add-on range of $180 to $525.
Sources: Today’s Homeowner; HomeBlue; HomeAdvisor; HomeGuide; Lawn Love; Atlanta Arborist Division; Atlanta DDH permit guide; City of Atlanta ordinance update; Atlanta News First; Bisnow; Atlanta Realtors; DeKalb County; Gwinnett County; Purdue Landscape Report.
Last updated: November 3, 2026.